Bersamin: Still premature to react on VP Sara's plans for 2028 polls

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said Wednesday that it is still premature to react on the possibility of Vice President Sara Duterte running in the 2028 presidential elections.

''Welcome… No, I think it’s too premature but it’s her privilege,'' Bersamin said in an ambush interview in Manila City when asked for reaction on the matter.

On Tuesday, Duterte said she is now “seriously considering” running in the 2028 presidential polls. She said this amid her “private trip” in Japan over the weekend where she also visited groups of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Duterte has remained on top of the list of preferred presidential candidates in the 2028 elections, based on surveys.

Prior to this, Duterte had been asked by members of the media regarding her political plans for 2028, but she had kept herself away from speculations, saying she would only focus on her work as the country's Vice President.

The Vice President is currently facing three impeachment complaints, all linked to her alleged misuse of public and confidential funds of P612 million.

Last month, Duterte welcomed the filing of impeachment complaints against her, saying the move will allow her to answer the allegations and spare personnel from the Office of the Vice President and Department of Education form being dragged into the controversy.

"I welcome that finally na-file na 'yung impeachment case na sinasabi nila na ifile nila since last year pa,” Duterte said in Argil Relator’s Monday report on 24 Oras on December 9.

(I welcome the impeachment case filed against me, which they have been saying they will file since last year.)

This was Duterte’s reaction after the initial filing of two impeachment complaints before the House of Representatives.

“So, okay din 'yung impeachment case dahil ako lang ang tinitira doon, ako lang iniimbestigahan noon. Ako lang ang inaatake ng impeachment case. Hindi na kasali ang nga kasamahan ko sa OVP and mga dati kong kasama sa DepEd. Masagot na ng final kung ano 'yung mga inaakusa nila sa akin,” Duterte said.

(So, it’s okay they filed an impeachment case since I’ll only be the one who's being attacked. I’ll only be the one who's being investigated. I’ll only be the one who is being attacked in the impeachment case. My staff in the Office of the Vice President and Department of Education will no longer be involved. I can finally answer what they are accusing me of.) — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA Integrated News